Stretch type slipper



May 8, 1962 R. s. SERVIN 3,032,898

STRETCH TYPE SLIPPER Filed Feb. 25, 1961 INVENTOR.

ROBERT S. SERVI N MHW ATTORNEY nited States PatentO 3,032,898 STRETCH TYPE SLIPPER Robert S. Servin, Jenkintown, Pa., assignor to Robert Hosiery Mills, Inc., Trappe, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 91,009 4 Claims. (Cl. 36-9) The present invention relates to slippers, and more particularly to a stretch type slipper capable of being worn outdoors.

A stretch type slipper has many advantages over other types of slippers. A stretch type slipper will fit various size feet so that the slipper need only be made in a few standard sizes to cover the complete range of sizes of feet. A stretch type slipper is most desirable for chil dren since it permits a longer use of the slipper as the childs feet grow. The stretch type slipper occupies a minimum amount of space for storage and is capable of being washed.

A stretch type slipper is generally made with a fabric material upper and a cushioned sole. The slipper is capable of being stretched because of the nature of the fabric material of the upper and the inherent elasticity of the sole. The present invention contemplates the provision of an elastic tension tape enclosed in the seam which secures the sole to the upper. This provides additional strength in holding the material of the upper securely to the sole and the upper of the slipper is not apt to tear away from the sole if a substantial amount of strain is placed upon it.

The provision of the elastic tension tape in accordance with the present invention provides for a superior recovery of the sole of the slipper after it has been stretched. This is of great importance since slippers made heretofore have actually stretched out of shape after being worn for a comparatively short period of time. In accordance with the present invention, the elastic tension tape is maintained in place by the overlock stitch which secures the periphery of the sole to the lower periphery of the upper. In this manner, a separate stitching operation is not required and a means has been provided to assist the upper and the sole in returning to its original shape when not being worn.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel stretch type slipper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stretch type slipper which assists the return of the upper and the sole to its original shape when not being worn.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel stretch type slipper having an upper made from fabric material and a laminated sole secured together with an overlock stitch enveloping an elastic tension tape.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel stretch type slipper which is light in weight and capable of being worn outdoors.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the slipper of the present invention wherein the slipper is illustrated in the shape it assumes when not being worn.

FiGURE 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view of the elastic tension tape of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerice als indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a stretch type slipper designated generally as 10.

The slipper 10 comprises an upper 12 and a sole 14. As seen more clearly in FIGURE 1, the upper 12 comprises two pieces of knitted fabric 16 and 18 stitched together along a front seam 20. The pieces 16 and 18 are also secured together along a rear seam (not shown).

The upper edge of the pieces 16 and 18 of the upper 12 are stitched to a fiat strip of elastomeric material 22 by lines of parallel stitching 24. The length of the strip of elastic material 22 is less than the periphery of the upper edge of the pieces 16 and 18. Accordingly, the pieces 16 and 18 are slightly gathered adjacent to the strip of elastomeric material 22. This results in the slipper 10 of the present invention assuming the shape as shown in FIGURE 1 when not being Worn.

The sole 14 comprises a layer of foam rubber or synthetic resin 26, a layer of knitted fabric 28, and a layer of impervious, imperforate synthetic resin 30.

The layers 26-30 are joined together so as to form a laminated sole 14. Preferably, the layers 26-30 are fused together since this arrangement is simpler, more economical, and more practical. The layer of foam rubber or synthetic resin 26 is preferably of the open-cell type and therefore does not lend itself to being cemented to the layers 28 and 30.

The layers 2630 of th sole 14 are fused together across their full length and width thereby providing a laminated sole 14. The fused laminated sole 14 prevents the layer of knitted fabric 28 from forming crinkles, ridges, and buckles which render the slipper 10 uncomfortable. If the layer of knitted fabric 28 were not fused to the layer of foam material 26, the friction between a persons foot and the layer of knitted fabric 28, due to substantial wearing of the slipper 10, would result in the formation of crinkles, ridges and buckling of the layer of knitted fabric 28. The imperforate, impervious nature of the layer of synthetic resin 30 enables the slipper 10 of the present invention to be worn outdoors. The laminated nature of the sole 14 enables the layers of the sole 14 to stretch as a unit thereby providing a slipper which is more comfortable and having a greater lifetime than slippers proposed heretofore.

The lower peripheral edge of the upper 12 is secured to the peripheral edge of the sole 14 by a line of overlock stitching 32. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, the lowermost edge of the upper 12 is secured to the periphery of the sale 14 with the lowermost edge of the upper 12 being juxtaposed to the layer of synthetic resin 30.

The lowermost edge of the upper 12 is folded back so as to provide a ply 34 and a ply 36. An elastic tension tape 38 is disposed between the plies 34 and 36. The overlock stitching 32 extends through the layers 2630, through the ply 34, around the elastic tension tape 38, and around the peripheral edges of the layers 26--30 and ply 34. The width of the tension tape 38 is slightly less than the width of the overlock stitching 32. Thus, the width of the elastic tension tape 38 is substantially equal to the width of the stitched portions on the upper 12 and the sole 14.

The layer of synthetic resin 30 should be flexible and have good Wear resistance. Preferably, the layer 30 is made from a rubberized plastic material. The layer of foam material 26 is preferably an open-cell foam polymeric material such as polyurethane.

The elastic tension tape 38 is enclosed by the overlock stitching 32 and therefore provides additional strength in holding the upper 12 to the sole 14. The piece 16 of the upper 12 is not apt to tear away from the sole 14 if any amount of strain is placed upon it. Since the 3 slipper ll) of the present invention is a stretch type slipper, a certain amount of strain is placed upon the upper 12 and the sole 14 when stretched to fit the size it was intended for. The elastic tension tape 38 increases the ability of the sole 14 to return to its original shape after being stretched and worn for a substantial period of time.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stretch type slipper comprising an upper of knitted fabric material, a sole, the lowermost edge of said upper being juxtaposed to the bottom surface of the sole along the periphery of said sole, said sole having a shape corresponding to the bottom of a foot, an overlook stitch securing said edge of the upper to the periphery of said sole, and an elastic tension tape extending around the periphery of said sole, said tape being maintained in position by said overlook stitch.

2. A stretch type slipper in accordance with claim 1 wherein said elastic tension tape is disposed between two plies of said upper adjacent said lowermost edge of said upper.

3. A stretch type slipper in accordance with claim 1 wherein the width of said elastic tension tape is slightly less than the width of said overlook stitch.

4. A stretchtype slipper in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tension tape is encased entirely within said overlooked stitch, with said stitch extending through the material of said sole and upper and around the edge of the sole and said lowermost edge of said upper without penetrating the tape. v

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STAT-ES PATENTS 2,550,334 Dahlhouser Apr. 24, 1951 2,679,117 Reed May 25, 1954 2,798,311 Scholl July 9, 1957 2,845,723 Arnold Aug. 5, 1958 2,926,433 Kramer Mar. 1, 1960 2,934,839 Servin May 3, 1960 2,978,817 Brenner Apr. 11, 1961 2,995,838 Servin Aug. 15, 1961 2,996,814 Baker Aug. 22, 1961 

